shay 2200 Popular Post Share Posted January 4, 2023 EXCERPTS FROM THE MEMOIR OF A QUEEN -- -- “Higher Coraline, Higher!” Echoed a youthful voice through the Orenian orchard. The lush area vacated, bar the presence of the three Rhenyari children “Baba pushes me higher when he’s here, I have to swing higher than Charles, otherwise .. otherwise I may die!” Called that same, perhaps overdramatic young voice once more “Baba is not here, nor is imma. It is just me right now Amadea and this is as high as I can push you” Offered the elder of the girls in an eventual retort. A hint of annoyance laced through her tone as she continued to push the younger Carrington on the swing amongst the trees, their brother swinging adjacent, nearly silent in the currently windless enclosure. “When is he to come home, Coral? I do not like when he stays away in the capital so long. I could disappear and he would never know” “Soon, Amadea. He has work to do, you know this. Besides, I would notice if you were gone.” “I would notice too!” offered the previously silent boy, his attention fixated upon his siblings “Charles, you barely notice the time of day - HIGHER Coraline, we are trailing behind!” -- It was strange at first, adapting to the Haeseni climate, and I do not only refer to the weather. The brashness of the people, in comparison to the nature of those in Providence was jarring. In just my first month warding under Emma, I found myself manipulated and arguably assaulted as a boy, no older than myself, cut my long locks of hair. It was so drastic that my handmaiden had to see to it that my hair was fully removed, the style labelled irredeemable by anything other than months of time to grow. My Father was furious when he returned from the capital. I recall toting some elaborate story about a garden full of hair-eating slugs. I may not have been honest with him, but in a fond recollection I do find myself impressed by my youthful ability to twist a story. -- “He’s going to notice, you know - bend your knees more, your form is abysmal Amadea” chirped the elder Carrington as her voice echoed through the manor’s studio. Her green hues concentrating intently upon her sister’s knees, and their notable lack of proper coordination in the midst of their dance lesson. “My form is fine, Coraline” the younger Carrington sighed, a hand slowly extending through the air as her knees further bent, her sister’s gaze remaining fixated upon the practicing girl “And he won’t notice. I’ve been moving back and forth for years now and the only concern he has ever raised was my balded head” “It was a reasonable concern, you looked rather awful bald, you know” “Karl said I looked nice” “Wh-” “Nevermind!” Amadea returned, her tone rather rushed as additional colour rose to her already flushed features “Amadea” warned Coraline as her hands shifted to rest upon her hips, her face contorting in teenage frustration “Just watch my knees, Coral. Baba will not notice, just do not tell, or I will tell on you” “ . . . Raise your arms, they’re dropping” -- Snow slowly fell upon the Karosgrad square as a frantic Orenian girl paced the slick ground, a drooping piece of parchment clutched firmly in her hands as she continually rambled to herself, reading over the words written repeatedly. “Oh no .. Oh oh, oh no. No, no this is bad. This is not good, this is very so not good, oh -” “Amadea!” echoed a familiar voice through the bustling space “Oh, right. Apologies .. The rambling. I got carried away, forgot I am not the only one who can hear -” “You’re doing it again” . . “What’s with the letter?” questioned the voice as the boy it belonged to moved closer, inspecting the panicking Carrington whose gaze remained fixated upon the rapidly wetting text “It is my baba .. my Father, he has finally noticed my absence. He’s ordering me home at once . . Oh he is going to be so angry with me” cried out the girl, her gaze finally tearing from the condemning news as her gaze rose to meet the staring blues “Karl I .. I have to go” “Go where? Not back to Oren” . . “Your father cannot do anything, I’ll .. I’ll have my Father stop him, if you want. He cannot take you.” “He is my baba . . I, I do not have a choice in this” “Yes you do” “No, I do not.” . . “Just, promise you will not forget me, okay? Write to me, I’ll write to you. Tell Angelika I will write to her as well. And Isabel .. And Sorina .. And I’ll send snacks for Maya .. Maybe it will be good for me, being back home. God knows I do miss the heat.” -- “She is the daughter of the Duke Barclay, she is clearly a spy sent to sabotage the wedding!” The room silenced as the Carrington girl stood, finger extended in the direction of the aforementioned ducal daughter, the wedding guests of the Princess Imperial hushed, children pulled closer to their loved ones as the present guards began to manoeuvre closer to the scene “I truly cannot have a single day off, not even on the day of my wedding” complained the groom, the man gesturing for the guards to close in on the Haeseni girl and her baronial companion “You’re a traitor, Amadea. We were friends, how could you do this! I’ve done nothing wrong!” cried the Barclay girl as she struggled in the grips of her captors, her face contorting into that of betrayal as she was escorted out of the Imperial palace -- As was promised during my departure, I maintained contact with those I had kindled a relationship with whilst, still unbeknownst to my father, I remained a ward to the Haeseni consort. Any free time that was afforded to me, which admittedly came rarely as I found myself nearly constantly under my Father’s watchful eye following my stint in a warring Kingdom, I would write. Tucked away, any detail of my life that I could spare met the dwindling store of parchment within our Barony. Truly, I can attribute the accurateness of this collection of my life to the many letters drafted upon just that subject. However tedious, they serve me now as a reference of my experiences, and served me then by allowing me to foster relationships with my foreign peers, despite our notable distance. -- “You will come then, yes? Well, of course you will come, why would you not. Well, I suppose war, but they wouldn’t hurt me, and since you’re with me surely they would not hurt you. Unless they would . . No, no I am quite sure of it, they would not. Do not fear. I will write to the Prince, and tell him we will both be in attendance -” “What are you on about, I zoned out about ten minutes ago. You really do go on, you know?” laughed the Sarkozy, his lazy gaze fixated upon the Carrington girl as they sat nestled upon the beachline. The warm summer air beginning to cool as the hours dwindled, the waves of the sea slowly washing up near their feet. “Really Laurent, you should listen, what if I was saying something important . . It could be life or death, and you would never know because you just tune me out and act as if you don’t -” “I’m joking Amadea, but really, what were you talking about?” “Lifstala, I swear I’ve told you about it. It’s their Astercalia, Haense that is” “Your point?” “My point is that I’m going, which means that you’re going too, obviously” she smiled, her gaze reaching that of the baronial boy’s, the sound of the lapping waves filling the silence otherwise only occupied by their breaths as the conversation halted “AMADEA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING, WHO IS THAT BOY?” echoed the voice of Coraline, the elder daughter of Carrington rapidly closing the gap between herself and the beach bound pair, an air of looming fury radiating off of her lavishly draped body “Shit - shit, hide the bottle Laurent. She’s already going to be angry enough without seeing that” -- “You’re truly not coming, Angelika?” “No. Well, maybe. I won’t be participating regardless. I don’t need to, and I’m not allowed even if I did. But, even if I did, I do not want to, Amadea” sighed the flaxen haired woman, stretching out under the oak tree as she eyed her naive childhood friend, a smirk toying at her features as she watched the Carrington attempt to process the information “What do you mean, you do not need to?” “I already have a lover Amadea, I do not need this lifstala for that” “But, is that even allowed? And are you not .. how do you know this is what you want, what if you want something else, or you change your mind? Is that not, that’s why we have this, have it all. To decide, it’s all awfully confusing, is it not?” the Rhenyar babbled out, poorly attempting to wrap her mind around such a foreign concept “I just know, it does not matter. I am not attending lifstala. I’m not even allowed to marry anyways, so it makes no difference, truly” “I .. well .. Let me ask you a question then. Or, well, yes. A question. I’ve a question for you” . . “Do you .. well, your feelings for Karl, I mean the Prince. When we were girls, I remember .. you were so fond of him, I thought .. Well, I figured you would be with him but now .. I just, do you, I mean, is that gone, now?” she spat out after sometime, after stumbling over her own words, her thoughts racing too quickly for her mouth to keep up “Yes, Amadea. It is gone. I was a girl then, but I am a woman now, none of that matters” “So .. If I told you that I’ve been writing to him for years, and wish for him to pursue me during the season, you will not think me a terrible, awful, horrible, twisted friend? Although, I would not blame you if so, it was an awful thing of me to do, and I would understand if you hate me and wish it to stop. If you tell me to stop I will. I swear it, I swear it to you Angelika I will, I am so sorry, I will write him now in fact, I will tell him that my mind has changed and I shan’t be coming anymore, that’s how much you matter to me I will stop it right now it should have never -” “Amadea, it is fine. I am not mad, if anything I am happy for you.” interrupted the Ruthern, the woman no longer willing to watch the Carrington spiral within her own mind “Oh, Oh god. Oh, Angelika, I do not deserve you as my friend, you are too good.” -- “It was so strange, at the painting thing earlier” the young Rhenyar yawned, pulling her feet up unceremoniously upon the chair she sat perched on, her chin dropping to rest in her outstretched hand as her gaze fixated upon those familiar blues “before it all started, I tried to speak with Angie but she would not meet my eyes. She even ran off, I thought she would perhaps stay, but she did not. I do not know if I’ve offended her Karl, but I’m rather worried about it all” . . “I had met her before this all started, and she told me it was fine but .. I do not know, perhaps I read it all wrong” a frustrated sigh accompanied her brooding thoughts as her eyes closed in thought “perhaps I am just a bad person, maybe this was the wrong choice” “You’re not a bad person.” spoke the Bihar, his guilty gaze meeting hers as her eyes opened upon the sounding of his voice, interrupting her racing thoughts “You did not do anything wrong, Amadea” “But, how can you be so sure, how do you know?” “I am the one in the wrong” “What do you mean, do not say that, you’ve done nothing wrong, why would you even suggest that, that -” “Amadea. I kissed Angelika in the garden earlier. That is why she was upset, and that is why she could not bear to face you. Nothing more.” . . “I needed to know, for my peace of mind, I needed to know. It was only once, and she stopped it out of loyalty to you, you must know that” . . “Afterwards however, I knew that my decision was made. I wish to court you, officially. I just .. I found the clarity that I needed today, and it shall only be you going forth, I promise” -- Amadea rapidly paced the courtyard, a recently delivered notice clutched tightly in her fist, unaware of the creeping cold of the Haeseni winter as she rapidly aired her thoughts to the unfortunate prince standing witness to the event. “I cannot believe she did this, even for her. This is cruel. This is beyond cruel, this is targeted. I thought she was supposed to love me, you do not do something such as this to somebody that you love.” . . “She has always been jealous of me, I’ve said it. She was always, always jealous. Through her season she could not find herself one match, and yet I had men throwing themselves at my feet before I so much as had a design drafted for my debut dress. I had three marriage proposals before I came here, did you know that - three! Do you know how many Coraline had? None! In fact, I read in the rumour box that she does not even fancy the company of men, no wonder she’s such a lonely old hag. She’s just going to be alone, in her dusty dance studio, with nobody to yell at. She’s just going to be wrinkly and old and alone and without a sister, she is not my sister, sisters do not do this to sisters” a sharp inhale followed as her hands rested on her hips, the fuming woman ceasing her looping, much to the relief of the garden keepers who would undoubtedly need to tend to the now-ruined paths “That was cruel of me, I should not have said that, I am sorry. I am just so angry, I just . . If you no longer wish to marry me, I understand. It, It would look bad, and I know .. I know that’s important, and you have your whole list and -” “Amadea, we will figure it out, it is fine. You will receive a title of your own, from my Father, before I marry anyone else. Just .. come back inside, you’re not even wearing a coat.” -- The salty scent of the sea faded slightly as the shoreline slowly made itself visible to the eye. Analiesa had been so young, but even she was able to notice the quickly changing environment our ship found itself slowly approaching. Thinking back on our trip, my largest regret was not bringing them all, or at least. The way Ana’s face lit up as we were welcomed by the vibrant culture of the Rhenyari, it was almost unfair to disinclude the boys. If I could do it all again, I would make sure to bring them all, at least once. I know Georg found his way to the motherland on more than one occasion, but how I wish that I could have been there to witness the first time his gaze met the shore. -- “What if they never come to accept me, Karl?” questioned the fur-clad woman as the two newly-crowned monarchs stood atop a cold balcony, the gazes lofting over the city that had seen rapid change in the minimal years from their succession “What if, after it all, I am still not enough?” “Amadea, look at this.” . . . “Look at all we have accomplished in what little time we have had. You are more than enough, I swear this to you.” spoke the young King, as the two remained nestled upon that balcony as the snow continued to fall. -- The years that Karl found himself absent were arguably the worst years of my life. Left as regent of a Kingdom that continued to feel foreign to myself whilst balancing the parenting of four young children without my life partner, I had never felt so lost. I was never meant to be a Mother, not truly. The love required, I have a capacity for, no doubt, but I’ve a tendency to flee, to hide, or to cower in the face of adversity when personal relationships are involved. The exception being fights with my siblings, I was never one to stand my ground during conflicts, instead opting to take the words thrown, offering little to no offence in return. I am diligent in the work that I do, but I falter in my relationships, in my ability to remain a steady force, a strong role model. My greatest regret as a woman, looking back on my life, was my inability to be that steady force for my children. However, my greatest regret as a queen,was my overt determination to stand as a steady force when observed by the kingdom, despite whatever my true inward feelings were at the time. -- “I cannot sleep. I will not, It’s too scary. They’re going to chase me again, I cannot do it” cried out Marius in the dead of the night as he had frantically manoeuvred to seek out his mother, skin pallid from the beasts that had haunted him at night “Please, my peach pit, your brother has just fallen asleep” sighed she, her features mirroring that of her two sons as her nights had often found themselves just as restless in the time that her husband had been away “I promise you there are no monsters, come here my love” Marius did just that, the space within the royal chambers that would have otherwise been filled by the king, now bending to the small mass of the young, frightened prince “There are, I swear. I cannot do it” “Then I shall fight them off. No monster will be strong enough to defeat your mother. I will stay awake for the rest of my days if I may ensure you rest, bell pepper. Now please, sleep.” -- “Something has to be done about this, your Majesty. Immediately. They cannot be allowed to publish this untarnished. It is an insult, an insult to myself, my house, the Kingdom. You cannot allow this, you will be seen as weak. They will feast upon your bones and continue until there is nothing left -” The angry Duke rambled within the floral chambers of the consort, his fists tightly held as he paced along the wooden floors, his tone so sharp it would be a miracle if only half of the Kingdom were capable of hearing him “For God’s sake Mikhail, calm down” she interrupted her voice cutting, an irritated groan slipping past her lips as she observed the still-pacing Duke, the Bihar unable to withhold her look of sheer disdain for the man now sitting as head of her council “What would you have me do, have him dragged to the square and flogged?” “Hanging would be preferable if you’re going physical. I would be happy to do it in Greyspine in fact -” “You must know that I was not being serious. What is wrong with you, are you truly unable to last a second without airing your twisted thoughts to the entire realm? Have you ever thought of a solution to a problem not requiring overt violence, or force?” “No.” “I really hate you, I hope you know that. I mean that genuinely, I cannot stand you.” . . “Regardless, what would you have me do, your Grace?” “Respond to him, publicly. Call him to the throne room, berate him in front of the entire populace, show your strength. This cannot be allowed, it is a disgrace.” “He is simply disappointed, he is allowed to be disappointed, and is allowed to speak on said disappointment.” “So you would do nothing, you would not defend me, after forcing this position upon myself, you would leave me out to dry? You would not defend yourself? He paints you a nepotist.” “I did not say that, and I am capable of reading.” “Then what? You cannot let this be, something must be done. Today.” “Just . . Draft a response, that is all we can do. You will write a public letter, to address the Maer. Have it written from my perspective, I shall sign it, and we will be done with this.” -- “I do not even know where, or how to begin this.” . . . “I know, Angelika.” her voice trembled as her gaze found that of the familiar flaxen haired woman, the sound echoing slightly through the damp tomb of knights past “Did he tell you?” “I need to hear it from you. I need to know the truth, all of it. I deserve that much, after it all” “I’m not sure what you want me to say.” “You have lied to me for the past thirty five years of our lives, Angelika. I want to hear the truth.” “Do you not think it has killed me, Amadea? I have come close to telling you, so many times, but he made me swear myself to secrecy. He told me to burn all of our letters, to always walk a few steps behind him, to never speak a word to you of what he professed to me.I tried to distance myself, I gave up everything and left to the south - but it was you, and him, who constantly called for me to return. I couldn't just say no - you were not only a friend to me, but my queen.” “You did this because you wanted to, do not act as if you truly feel bad for your actions” Snapped the Rhenyari, her face contorting under the weight of their betrayal “What the **** was I supposed to do? He is a king. If I spoke a word to anyone, I'd be killed. If he tells me to jump, I must ask how high.” . . . “I was there before you. I loved him, love, even” Returned the Ruthern, remorse absent from her tone. “You told me, you told me you did not” . . . “when we were girls, in the garden. Before I returned to Haense, I asked you about it. You knew what I was asking, and why. But you said you did not love him.” . . . “You had Woland, or whatever his name was, you did not love Karl anymore.” “What, so then I would tell you, and destroy the future of the Kingdom? Plunge the crown into turmoil?” . . . “You were happy enough.” “God, I am so sick of people making my decisions for me. I deserve to know the truth of what I am signing myself up for, for once in my life I deserve the whole truth.” “What do you want me to say, Amadea? Do you want the details? Do you want to know how he kissed me, and then asked you to court him? Do you want to know how he slept with me, and then immediately proposed to you?” .. “Do you want to know how even as soon as last year, he spoke of how he wished for me to comfort him and for something to happen between us once again? I don't know what you expect from me. You were so wrapped up in yourself and your new life that you didn't even notice.” “I have despised every minute that I have sat with a Crown on my head Angelika. I did it for him, because I thought he was worth it, I . . I uprooted my entire life, left my nation, my family -- for this?” . . . “To be betrayed by the two people who were supposed to love me the most.” “Amadea.” . . . “You are starting to thin my patience.” The tone of the Ruthern changed to that of a warning, the towering woman gazing down at the Rhenyar as her jaw clenched “You've no place to speak on patience.” . . . “He never would have married you, you know. Even if you had not left, had not sworn your vows. He told me frankly, and there was no reason for him to lie.” . . . “You did not deserve me, neither of you did.” “I have told you everything. It is your choice what you wish to do with it.” In Angelika's gaze, there was a flickering of sadness, and her throat tightened with anxiety. She peered down at the Queen, a woman who she had known since childhood, standing before her now with bloodshot eyes and greying hair. A moment of silence passed between the two women until, as if something had snapped within the woman, Angelika reach out to strike Amadea, the smaller woman faltering some in her spot as she spoke “Have . . Have you not hurt me enough, Angelika.” She let out in a struggle, her sentence muddled with her sobs as she held a hand to the afflicted cheek in shock. “The emotional .. Emotional was not enough .. You have to make it physical too?” Angelika pressed forth then to set her hands around the woman's throat, intent on lifting her into the air and pushing her back into a statue that stood tall nearby. “You have everything, Amadea!” Came her cry, eyes wide and frenzied. “You have everything, I have nothing!” she cried out as she held the smaller woman firmly by the neck “What more do you want from me, Amadea? Do you think I have not already been punished enough?!” Came her screams, her grip tightening more. “Everyone I care for is dead, my sister's flesh burned from her limbs and sloughed to the floor like deadened leaves, I - I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WANT!” . . . “Nothing I do could satisfy you, no words uttered, no action taken - I am already stained with the label, I am already shunned, already ridiculed! Nothing will ever be enough!” Amadea remained limp, offering little to no resistance to the woman’s attack. Although the reasoning for such would never truly be known, any observer of the scene would assume the Bihar to have accepted her fate, abandoning it in the hands of her first friend, her first introduction to unconditional love. Unwilling to further afflict one who, for years, had been held above all others. Luckily, or unluckily depending on the reader, Angelika’s jaw clenched, and she released Amadea - her hand untangling from her throat. She took a few steps backward, and then a few more, before she turned to depart the hall in entirety, leaving the woman in a heap, abandoned with her injuries and her mind. -- In my time, I have realised that the most important factors of life are not the material. Not the privileges that come with the luck of the draw of your birth. Titles are meaningless if the one who bears it has not the capacity to wear it well, and there would be no title if not for the people allowing you to hold it, allowing you to serve. There are no truly God given rights, no person is above the judgement of others, nor should they try to be. If one spends their life wasting their time concerning themselves over trivial affairs, there will be no time for what truly matters. Meetings can be rescheduled, but nights with a restless son, disagreements with an ageing daughter, the opportunity to accept a mud pie made by tiny, grimy fingers, cannot. The moments that stick with you may seem menial but they are truthfully, the most important experiences one could possibly have. -- The old courtyard clock chimed in the background, barely noticeable behind the vibrant voices of the royal family ringing through the room. An argument or two had arisen during the dinner, something along the lines of awful facial hair and the distinct wish to have sons over daughters. It did not matter. Amidst the chaos, three royals found themselves conversing, their tones too low for the others to hear “Are you both truly sick?” questioned their son, their youngest, as a look of concern swept over his features, so reflective of both Karl and Amadea “Yes, Nikolas” offered the King “I hide most of it, but I would rather not elaborate outside of the bounds of our bedroom” “There has to be something I can do. If you can hold on for a couple of years, I’ll figure it out, you can stay. Both of you.” “That seems an insult to full lives lived, my love.” interjected the man’s mother, a sympathetic tone taken on as a hand raised to comfort her son “Your father and myself have had our time, but each story must end eventually” “Then embrace death, mother. You have both lived honourable, worthy lives.” Spoiler “It goes on” His voice seemed to echo for ages, Amadea stood motionless upon the balcony after Karl drew his last breath, his final words replaying in her head. There is no telling how long the aged woman stood upon the ledge, whether minutes or hours had passed, she was unsure, until a familiar, warm grip met her shoulders. “Mamej, you cannot stay out here, you’re chilled to the bone” spoke their - her eldest, as he began to slowly move the lone queen from the spot that had rooted her, his sister moving forth to tend to the silent king, a sob escaping her lips as Georg continued to escort Amadea off “I cannot do it Georg, I will not, I do not . . I cannot, not without him” Amadea spoke as she was guided to their - her, familiar chambers, the cold removed from the woman as she was settled into her bed “He said .. he said it goes on but” . . “But it cannot, I cannot, I do not know how” she sobbed out, the weight of what had occurred fully sinking in, her body convulsing as years of grief were released at once “I do not wish to be alone” “You are not alone, mamej.” spoke Analiesa now, the Ruthern finally making her way into the chamber, settling down beside the frail woman as she reached for her hand, gripping her in an attempt at comforting the grieving queen “You have us, you are not alone.” Time passed as the elderly monarch continued to weep amongst the words of comfort offered by her children. They all came as they heard of what had happened, the boys in and out through the evening and into the night as the woman sat silently, held within the arms of her daughter as she wept. Eventually, as the sun fully dipped below the horizon, the moon shining brightly in the sky, her tears were unable to fall any longer. Analiesa sat up then, her grip remaining upon her mother as she inspected her mother, their identical eyes meeting for a moment as the elder Bihar exhaled, her covers pulled fully up as her daughter settled her in for the night “I love you.” spoke Amadea as her eyes closed. The grief remained as her awareness of the room slipped into that of the night, but Karl’s words continued to repeat within her mind “It goes on”, and it would. She realised now that he had been right, as he so often was. They had lived a happy life. Although ripe with issues and turmoil, as the light slipped it was not the arguments, the affairs or disagreements that came to mind, it was the multitude of happy times that had come to pass. The laughter of their children echoing through their halls, muddy footprints left trailing along their pristine floors. Years of work and accomplishments come to be, wars won, and love that was fought for. It would go on, the Kingdom would remain strong, as it did when his father had passed, his grandfather, and all the kings that came before. It would go on, he was right, but Amadea would not. Each story must end eventually, and her book closed upon that cold, winter balcony. Whether shortly after her eyes closed, or far into the depths of the night Amadea drew her last breath. And with that, she was gone. Spoiler Well, there we are then. With one, so too goes the other. It's definitely been a ride over the past eight months of Queen on top of nine months of helping livvy, but it's been a good one. One with a couple of turns, but hopefully enjoyable overall. As long as you puke off the railing instead of into the cart that's a win, right? Thank you to everyone in Haense for allowing GMRO and myself to do what we've done for the past almost year now. There would be no haense, and no crown without the community. I'm really grateful to have been able to be apart of the story, no matter how small. Obviously, I'll give special recognition and thanks to the man himself @GMRO. You don't need me to talk about how these months have been as you know first hand, but I'm glad we did it together, even through your hour long schizo rants. Thank you for choosing me. If I had the choice, knowing everything that I do now, I would still choose to do it all again. Also big ups to @kaylaa @PerfectlyPeachy and @gusano for dealing with my psychotic self the whole way through, and helping me wherever I needed. I genuinely would not have been able to do anything without you three, so thank you. As with GMRO, there are several people who I think deserve all the thanks in the world, but out of want of not making this longer than it already is I'll list a few. Thank you for everything, really. @sarahbarah@Mio@LouisGY@indiana105@Dyl@DahStalker@zuziee@livrose@Zaerie@FlemishSupremacy@ReveredOwl@milkyi@liz@Milenkhov@Xx_BloodStalk_xX@Timer 59 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMRO 5252 Share Posted January 4, 2023 Spoiler As the aged monarch found his equal depart the world soon after him, he was whole again. Whilst he had kept few secrets from Amadea throughout his lifetime, he had for so long kept one that caused her such pain. She didn’t deserve it. She didn’t deserve me for that. Didn’t deserve what I did to her. He still found himself thinking that even as they passed almost together. Yet there was more to their life and their marriage than that. Memories returned to the aged king as though the pair were young again. A Prince and A Carrington-made-Basrid broke into the Carrington manor in search of Amadea’s memories. They walked through empty corridors in search of the things that mattered only to find it deserted. Karl, wanting to show off his strength, picked up a marble bust of Amadea to carry home. He thought of how it still stood within the halls of the Morrivi Palace. Another memory of all the time Amadea stole his eight-ball to never be able to finish a game of pool when she was mad at him, or just wanting to cause trouble. The betrothal dinner of Analiesa and Aleksandr before all hell had broken loose and the king spoke of love. More memories, the first time the pair got a moment alone in the mazes of Karosgrad where he admitted his love for her. The first time they met, Amadea bald and made him a lion hat that the man still held close. Even the first cologne he;d received that he wore for all his life. The torrent of memories came thick and fast as she joined him, and he could only be thankful she’d come so soon. Without her, Karl was always lost. 21 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mio 3771 Share Posted January 4, 2023 "You were two different warriors."Marius Audemar, the once frightened Prince, reconciled with himself as he wiped at those slow falling tears upon his sleepless cheeks. Those tears which appeared akin to the rain which slickly fell against the stained glass panes of the St. Heinrik's basilica where he sat in utter solitude, hoping that prayer was a feasible means of connection between him and his departed parents. Could they hear him? He'd hoped so.He had learned swordsmanship from his father, how to traverse the field of battle and how to allocate men to their respective troops. However, it was his mother who taught him how to captivate the heart of a person, to reach into their soul instill that rage and light ablaze the patriotism within, that taught him how to ensure each soldiers will to continue went on. It may have been his father that gave him his own fight, but it was his mother who fostered it. It was all those moons ago when the Princeling was left shivering alone in the Royal Quarters hall, his face pallid, teeth chattering, and staring at the blank space on the wall where he could've sworn a beast of the void sought to get him. His mother and among all her sacrifices, came to the boys aid albeit his preposterous claims, aided him through the night, and fought off those foul beast which haunted the boy. He knew within her presence he could rest easy."It's your turn. Mamej. You watched over us for so long- you may rest easy now." 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dyl 1568 Share Posted January 4, 2023 "And I survive another one of my kin..." To Isa, there were very few people he could actually say he loved, he could count them on one hand. From his time in Oren to his self-exile to Ba'as then his return to Haense, there were very few people he held affection for. He did not come to Haense to make a new life originally, he was there to watch over his niece, one of the last Rhenyari in Almaris. The then Prince Karl came to him, asking for his permission to let Amadea assume the surname of Basrid, and formally join the House so that she may truly marry him as a member of nobility. Isa quickly allowed it, he knew she'd bring honor and prestige to the Basrid name, no this was really not about blood ties, but ambition... or was it? It was thanks to her however, that he was able to shed the past, and begin anew. It was thanks to Amadea that he wed once again, marrying the Lady Margot Baruch. It was thanks to her that his children were accepted not as foreigners, but as Haeseni. "It was thanks to you Amadea..." Soon after that Isa had a family once again, people to look after. Each time he'd go to count his children, he'd miscount, stopping at seven rather than six. "That's right, you were my niece..." 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xMuted 2468 Share Posted January 4, 2023 Wilfriche Sigismund took a sip of water between shallow breaths and hiccups, all whilst crying his eyes out. Spoiler you totally slayed #queen 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tadabug2000 3506 Share Posted January 4, 2023 Princess Sofia de Pelear found herself within the Hyspian church for a second day in a row now, candles flickering over the pews as she prayed at the delivered news of the Queens death. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timer 1434 Share Posted January 4, 2023 Laurent Sarkozic would remember the times near the Carrington Estate, especially the laughs and the drinking... 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolan_ 4220 Share Posted January 4, 2023 Bishop Iosif smiled fondly on the memory of climbing the palace windows and talking to his cousin, the Queen, on the second storey as a child with his spoon in hand. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marslol 672 Share Posted January 4, 2023 As the sun began to set over the Prikaz, Esfir of Jerovitz holed herself up in the castle she had only spent a few years in - let alone married into. Dressed in blacks and a somber expression, she held a small baby boy, who slept soundly in the comfort of his mother's warmth as the Grand Princess would languidly drag her feet across the empty throne room. With a pivot, she'd stand and stare up at the thrones upon the dias - once seated by those before her and now those who have passed. What will come, when she takes her place upon it? What will happen? How heavy is the Crown that is to sit upon her head? Is she ready? Would she ever be? The child stirred awake, grey-ish eyes staring up at the ceiling and the woman who kept him so dearly close. A gentle hand went to tuck a stray strand of black out of the boy's face then, with a struggled smile finding it's way upon his mother's features. --- "They would've loved you." 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PerfectlyPeachy 1344 Share Posted January 4, 2023 r 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greehn 1861 Share Posted January 4, 2023 Wolfgang de Vilain read the missive, saddened by the news of the Queen's palace. "Though many did not like your cats, I shall take care of them." - "May you rest in peace, Queen Amadea." He spoke to himself, placing the missive down onto his table, standing for a moment of silence. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColdestPepsi 1034 Share Posted January 4, 2023 "Didn't know her well, yet she was usually pretty respectful and didn't interfere in things where it would have just muddied everything." Conrad paused thinking it all over. "Overall, not the worst queen in the slightest. Fact she went so soon after His Majesty shows that they cared for each other." 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carson 939 Share Posted January 4, 2023 A certain ginger, cursed by her own actions and the circumstances of life she found herself in, broke with each of the deaths of her loved ones. She could hardly bear to be on this mortal coil, especially with her paranoia of her husband dying. Yet she wailed, all night and into the morning, knowing it would not be possible. For death would not reunite her with her family. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eryane 3629 Share Posted January 4, 2023 Deep within the lands of the Ruthern duchy of Vidaus, Elizaveta walked the quieted halls of her home that had fallen into mourning as soon as the news had spread. Her lips were puffy and her eyes were red from hours of long sobbing at the grandmother - and Queen - she hardly had known. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xx_BloodStalk_xX 2123 Share Posted January 4, 2023 Amongst the many cats moving about the common room, there was an elf that bore bright robes that stood above them. He'd lower himself to a knee, the housepets flocking to him once he had placed down a large silver tray of food. He'd remain silent, watching them eat, noting how quiet the room was. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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